Potential co-op could bring local businesses into Lexington Center

Lexington Local First is hoping to organize a pop-up market in Lexington Center that could sell and promote products and services from Lexington residents who don't have an existing shop.

Avaram Baskin, a representative of Lexington Local First, presented the idea to the Lexington Center Committee's meeting on Thursday, May 11.

"This would support local entrepreneurs who may not be able to afford their own retail space and can serve as an incubator for their business and hopefully spark interest in opening up a space in Lexington Center or somewhere in the town," Baskin said. "It would drive more foot traffic into the center and just in general enhance the community."

Baskin appeared before committee members to seek their endorsement. Lexington Local First plans to present the idea to the town manager. The project would be a co-op and likely take the form of like tents and tables set up somewhere in the center that feature local businesses. Baskin pointed to local businesses such as Lexington Soaps and Let's Tart as potential businesses that could be featured as part of the co-op.

Baskin mentioned that there would be a nominal fee for businesses to be a part of the co-op, to help pay for expenses. Baskin also said that he knows what kind of businesses that would be targeted through this effort and that they wouldn't want to interfere with local retailers.

"This is going to be a curated event, we know what kind of businesses that we want to participate and it wouldn't be a business that would compete with a business in the center," Baskin said. "Originally we were going to let residents sell gently-used goods and toys, but we talked to the owner of the toy store in town and he wasn't happy about toys and games being sold near his shop so we are no longer going to have that."

The committee agreed to give their support for the initiative. Lexington Economic Development Director Melisa Tintocalis said she believes if a business could gain support through the co-op that they could look into opening a retail space in Lexington.

"If the co-op is able to cultivate a mix of local artisans that feature unique, hand-crafted products they could develop an experience," Tintocalis said. "People are getting their stuff online now, but you go to a small business for that shopping experience and the social aspect of it. You want to make shopping cool, and when you increase that cool factor you bring in foot traffic and that helps the brick and mortar businesses."